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Saturday, November 15, 2008

Eydie Liebelt has the most adorable free tutorial that she created for her She Brews blog/website that I think you will enjoy. It's about creating an embroidery booklet and is shown below.

Embroidery Booklet

I made this booklet for Feeling Stitchy today. I put most of the tutorial on there, but I promised the pattern for the stitchery I did would be posted here. I got the idea from a coloring book, which looked like this:

Of course, I had to change it up a little, which seems to happen no matter what I do----is it "rebellion?", I have always wondered........I always have a little stash of embroidery thread that I take out of the needle as I am working on a project, and I cannot throw them away! So, I used them up to make the variegation in the colors in this project.

I decided I really liked the outline in black for this particular project. So, I started by outlining everything.

I took the embroidery to the printer and made color copies on cardstock and trimmed them at home. It's a great way to share your hard-worked embroidery with more than one person! And the little sewn booklet is a nice piece to carry in your purse with notebook and pen! Think of how special it will feel when you use it!

I forgot to purchase a matching pen for the display! It was too late this morning! But here it is open for you to see:

I will probably be putting this in my shop later today. I have a few more in the works, too. I think they will make great gifts!!!

Friday, November 14, 2008

I thought you would all like to know that Eydie Liebelt has a wonderful free tutorial on embroidering dragonflies and damselflies that she created for her She Brews blog/website that I think you will enjoy.

I really enjoyed stitching this little damselfly. I decided to add the shadow after I finished in the tradition of my watercolor damselflies. I think from a distance, it has the effect I desire.

I will have to ask Jay show me how to make .pdf files, but for now, simply right click on the image and choose image and go to file and choose print and you should have them. In the meanwhile, I will look into adding the patterns in the sidebar somehow.

With a lightbox, I transfer the pattern on the light colored fabric with a water soluble pen that I trace the pattern with. In the case of transferring on to dark fabric, I usually free hand it with a gold gel pen. After tracing the pattern, I usually back the fabric with another fabric to stabilize it when embroidering.

For this insect, I outlined it in number 12 perle cotton, otherwise, I usually use number 8 on everything. I wanted the outline to not be as defined as the rest of the damselfly.

Here you can see me outlining the damselfly first....while thinking about what color to do the wings and body in......

I looked at pictures on Flickr of dragonflies and other books to come up with some color ideas. The next picture is of a ribbon embroidery dragonfly I did several years ago, so I have no idea, exactly how to show you how I did it. I took a ribbon embroidery class and have done little ribbon embroidery since.......

I know the wings are organza ribbon, and the stitches matter that I used for the body, and I beaded the eyes. Sometime, I will have to try to do it again. Meanwhile, I must get to work, but I have been embroidering a lot, and will continue to post my projects. Tomorrow, I leave for Hayward and will be back Sunday to post.

These little Darling Daisy Dolls are simply charming and would look adorable in a little girls room or simply anywhere. Change the coloring a bit and make the dolls an Annie and you have a wonderful little prim decoration for a shelf or curio cabinet.

This little potted daisy is fast, easy, and cute as a button. At approximately 10-1/2 inches tall, it's small enough to fit on a shelf or curio cabinet, yet large enough to still be the center of attention.

Please respect Brenda's TERMS OF USE: All of my craft patterns are copyrighted. You may create a reasonable amount of items from my patterns for craft fairs, bazaars, craft malls, and auctions as long as you give Lillie Mae's Crafts credit for the design. You MAY NOT mass produce items from my patterns. Copying for any reason at all is strictly prohibited. You DO NOT have permission to alter them in any way. No wholesaling of items made from my patterns. My patterns are not to be shared or redistributed in any form without my express permission. If you have any questions, please ask before you purchase. Feel free to e-mail me at lilliemaescrafts@lilliemaescrafts.com

This adorable tooth fairy pillow is so quick and easy to make you'll be amazed. Hangs on the door knob for easy access from the tooth fairy. The child puts their lost tooth in the tooth pocket on front. Approximately 4 x 6-1/2 inches.

The perfect craft to use up those old wooden spools of thread; these make up quick and easy.

Please respect Brenda's TERMS OF USE: All of my craft patterns are copyrighted. You may create a reasonable amount of items from my patterns for craft fairs, bazaars, craft malls, and auctions as long as you give Lillie Mae's Crafts credit for the design. You MAY NOT mass produce items from my patterns. Copying for any reason at all is strictly prohibited. You DO NOT have permission to alter them in any way. No wholesaling of items made from my patterns. My patterns are not to be shared or redistributed in any form without my express permission. If you have any questions, please ask before you purchase. Feel free to e-mail me at lilliemaescrafts@lilliemaescrafts.com

Here's what Cheryl had to say about her fabric flower pin:
I hate to throw stuff away. No, I’m not a packrat, but I do object to tossing out perfectly good scraps of beautiful fabric when I can easily turn them into something useful. OK, I use the term “useful” very loosely here, but fabric trimmings can be used in a variety of ways other than as landfill waste. Jewelry, for example. Here, I’ve made a flower pin out of selvages and pieces that I’ve trimmed off when straightening the edges of my fabric for other projects.

Cheryl's Bio: Cheryl is a graphic designer with a BFA in graphic design, 15 years of quilting experience, and several textile teaching positions. She loves to explore new techniques and materials and utilizing both in new products for her website. She is also a photographer and painter, and occasionally offers art pieces for sale. Cheryl also takes custom textile or fine art orders and can be contacted at cheryl@bayoubags.com .

My husband occasionally comes home with a freebie from the lumberyard or hardware store. He recently brought me this carpenter’s apron, which I thought might be useful for crafting, but of course I had to dress it up a bit.

Cheryl's Bio: Cheryl is a graphic designer with a BFA in graphic design, 15 years of quilting experience, and several textile teaching positions. She loves to explore new techniques and materials and utilizing both in new products for her website. She is also a photographer and painter, and occasionally offers art pieces for sale. Cheryl also takes custom textile or fine art orders and can be contacted at cheryl@bayoubags.com .

In less than a year, I’ve gone from horribly nearsighted, to both horribly nearsighted and needing reading glasses with my contact lenses. As a result, I’ve got reading glasses all over the place — in my purse, on my computer table, on the coffee table, everywhere! This is not only because I don’t want to be running up and down the stairs every time I need to see up close, but also because there are so many stylish and inexpensive reading glasses available. Since they usually come without a case, I’ve been leaving them out in the open, but they’re vulnerable to things like curious cats, propeller-like dog tails that can easily sweep everything off the coffee table, and of course, my own clumsiness.

I rarely find an eyeglass case that I like, so I decided to just make my own out of fabric scraps. These cases take about 15 minutes to make. I made the two pictured here in 35 minutes, and that included cutting the fabric, trying to thread the needle without my glasses on (I know!), and taking photos of the steps.

Cheryl's Bio: Cheryl is a graphic designer with a BFA in graphic design, 15 years of quilting experience, and several textile teaching positions. She loves to explore new techniques and materials and utilizing both in new products for her website. She is also a photographer and painter, and occasionally offers art pieces for sale. Cheryl also takes custom textile or fine art orders and can be contacted at cheryl@bayoubags.com .

Quick and easy to make, sachet bags have many uses above and beyond dresser drawers. Hang them from doorknobs to give your rooms an enticing aroma. Affix them to hangers in your closets to freshen your hanging garments. Keep one in your car to enjoy the scent wherever your travels take you. The choice is yours! Sachets also make an excellent and thoughtful gift.

Beautiful in a bowl or basket, these bowl fillers are a must have for any country or primitive home. Brighten up an old wooden shelf or curio cabinet with these lovely and cheerful bowl fillers; attach a cord or ribbon and they become peg hangers.

Scented hot pad and coasters are fun easy to make; by simply changing the fabric, you can make these for any holiday or for everyday. As the coasters are made of fabric and filled with cinnamon, it is not recommended to use them for cold drinks.

To use the coaster, simply place a hot cup of tea, coffee, hot chocolate, hot apple cider or whatever you like on the coaster and the heat from your mug will help release the cinnamon scent. Similarly, when a hot dish is placed on a scented hot pad, the scent of cinnamon will be enjoyed while protecting your table from the heat of the dish.

A perfect little decoration for a curio cabinet or shelf, these are perfect little prims. Fast and easy, make up several for yourself or as gifts. Measures approximately 4 inches x 4 inches.

Please respect Brenda's TERMS OF USE: All of my craft patterns are copyrighted. You may create a reasonable amount of items from my patterns for craft fairs, bazaars, craft malls, and auctions as long as you give Lillie Mae's Crafts credit for the design. You MAY NOT mass produce items from my patterns. Copying for any reason at all is strictly prohibited. You DO NOT have permission to alter them in any way. No wholesaling of items made from my patterns. My patterns are not to be shared or redistributed in any form without my express permission. If you have any questions, please ask before you purchase. Feel free to e-mail me at lilliemaescrafts@lilliemaescrafts.com

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

I thought you might all like to know that Rachael of Rachael Rabbit and Rachael Rabbit Blog has created two wonderful FREE sewing tutorials for creating a drawstring bag and for creating a baby bunting on her blog.

One of my dream jobs would be to be a professional wrapper - you know the people that get to wrap up parcels all day in pretty paper and tie satin ribbons around them to make them gorgeous ... OK maybe after the 1,000Th parcel I might have had enough ... but I love to wrap things up and the presentation of a gift (to me) is half the joy. Each cuddly little softie from Rachael Rabbit is sent to its new home in a little cotton sleep sack (gift bag) and the cotton bags really do add a little something extra.

I was digging through my box of material and I came across some old scraps of fabric and I was suddenly possessed to make some bunting. My husband tells me that bunting isn't really used in America ... but having done some research - it seems that it is indeed an American thing: "A lightweight cloth material often used for flags and festive decorations (American)."

Here's what Rachael had to say about her simple pillowcase tutorial:
When my sister was here I was telling her that I had lots of material but I had a 'creative block' - and I wasn't sure what to do with it all - or what to make next. She suggested I should be ruthless with my fabric and get rid of anything I knew I was never going to use. I haven't done that yet (I'm still in 'must not waste a scrap' mode) but today I did visit my favorite fabric store in the city to get some inspiration and once there it was hard not to be naughty.

This post was supposed to be 'Crafting with Sister #3' but my husband came up with the better offer of kayaking on the lake - so I was left to play with potatoes by myself!

I can't remember how or when I learnt to print with potatoes ... but it is something I have loved doing since I was tiny - I've made pictures, wrapping paper, cards ... and now I am going to attempt to make bunny themed goodies with some items I have ordered from Dharma Trading (discovered via Angry Chicken).

I used to draw on the potato with a pen and then cut around the shape - the shape was never perfect so I thought I would try and make a potato stamp using cookie cutters. So grab a potato and come print with me ....

Saturday, November 01, 2008

I thought you might all like to know that Blondie Spence of Vintage Primitives has another wonderful FREE tutorial on her Vintage Primitives blog about creating a painted snowman woodcraft.

Here's what Blondie had to say:

How to Build a Snowman . . .

Last fall I did a really quick and natural tutorial on how to make a wreath. This morning when the birdies were still sleeping, I woke up with an itch to paint something. I decided to share my morning with you. This is an oober simple project. I have used a piece of wood that I actually found! It was with a few others that appeared to be mistakes but worked great for me! Oops, I guess you know now that I like to dumpster dive occasionally.

How to build a snowman:

First find a piece of wood that would hang nicely on your wall. Here's the one that I am re-purposing:

I sanded it smoothly, blew off the dust and proceeded to paint it black

Because I am always in a hurry to finish a project, I used a blow dryer to complete the drying process. Then I used a white colored pencil to draw some eyes like this:

Next step is the fun part. I used an antique white paint and a scruffy brush. I began to pounce around the perimeter in a circle and around the eyes, leaving them black, like this:

Kind of looks like a mask, doesn't it? You can make the eyes in any shape you like, and if you feel like you want more white than I have shown, go for it. I liked this texture for myself. Next two steps are combined because I forgot to take two photos. Told you I was in a hurry!

You want to squirt out some orange for the nose; Take a round brush and make lines down the middle for the nose . . . . and then ~ pounce some of the orange with a bit of the antique white. Pounce on your pad to blend. then make cheeks - it should look something like this:

Next, dip your brush nib into the antique white and make two dots for eyes. You will also need to pour a wee bit more of the black to make the mouth. It should look like this when you have done it:

Next step - we're almost done ~ pour a bit more of the antique white. Using a fine round brush - I don't know what size - whatever fits your hand good - I am not good at knowing what numbers are which with brushes - I paint by the seat of my britches most of the time - Anyhow, I have painted a saying on the sign. You may want to use your white colored pencil to get the spacing right - Here's mine:

Next step is the funnest step of all - Take a toothbrush and dip it in the antique white paint. Using your finger, splay it around for a snowy effect over the snowman and words.

After it's good and dry, seal with a matte sealer, and put a hanger on the back. Voila! easiest project I have done in a while! Enjoy!!

Dressed in her Sunday best and with her blankie in tow, Little Bit is ready for adoption. This pattern also includes simple instructions for her blankie and even her diaper. Approximately 4 inches tall.

This adorable Angel would look great as a decoration for anytime of the year. On a shelf, a curio cabinet or add a cord for hanging.

Please respect Brenda's TERMS OF USE: All of my craft patterns are copyrighted. You may create a reasonable amount of items from my patterns for craft fairs, bazaars, craft malls, and auctions as long as you give Lillie Mae's Crafts credit for the design. You MAY NOT mass produce items from my patterns. Copying for any reason at all is strictly prohibited. You DO NOT have permission to alter them in any way. No wholesaling of items made from my patterns. My patterns are not to be shared or redistributed in any form without my express permission. If you have any questions, please ask before you purchase. Feel free to e-mail me at lilliemaescrafts@lilliemaescrafts.com

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